Down to the Detail

Create the perfect external shade with any RAL colour

The design is in the detail and it is important to correspond each detail to unify a design that will create the perfect space to tend to our needs. Sizes, positions, colours etc are all elements that need to be considered to craft a living area that coincides with one’s lifestyle. There is a process to creativity and there should be no limits to how far we can go.

This is the season for outdoor living

Seasons greetings from the CB team

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

They say keeping busy makes time fly by and that certainly feels how 2017 has gone, with the New Year just 10 days away. After a busy season which has seen an increase in sales across all our product lines, its time for the CB team to have a well deserved break and refresh ready for the New Year.

Installation of the Month – November

Battersea, London – Outdoor Living Pod™

This past year we have seen some major installations of our Outdoor Living Pod, all with their own unique appeal; some consisting of integrated fireplaces and others with outdoor kitchens and November was no exception.

Installation of the Month – October

Wimbledon - Outdoor Living Pod™

During October we saw a drastic change in the weather as we dwelled deeper into autumn, the trees are bare and the leaves are piling up. The month was full of fun and excitement as we celebrated Halloween and watched the annual fireworks around the bonfire with family and friends. It was also a challenging and thrilling month for us as we had multiple large scale projects on the go that would certainly show off our ability to provide a spectacular outdoor living design.

We're 30 Years Old

3 decades of external shading

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd. Over the past three decades we’ve grown from humble beginnings with a single employee working out of a rented unit to today owning our own modern 30,000 sq/ft production facility with staff working across survey, sales, marketing, production, installation and aftercare, producing 1,000’s of premium external shading systems each and every year.

Quality not Quantity

A wide range of products can often be confusing and sometimes poor quality.

When you visit a high end restaurant it is sometimes often easy to tell what sets it apart from its competitors and that is usually the small selection of fine food they have on their menu. A clear and precise menu that focuses on the quality of the ingredients and the experience it will leave you with. In other cases I am sure that we have all experienced it one time or another where we have sat down to eat in a restaurant and spent half the experience reading a menu that would put a child to sleep. When we are presented with a long list of options it can quite often be difficult to analyse what it is we actually need and want. This same method is applied to all of our other purchasing processes when it comes to the real world.

Order Deadlines

Act now for pre Christmas installations

In two months time it will be Christmas eve and many of us will be enjoying quality time with our friends and family, with many of our clients enjoying true alfresco Christmas living under the shelter, warmth and cosyness of our Outdoor Living Pod.

Seasonal Pod Photo Shoot

We want to show you how you can use an Outdoor Living Pod™ whatever the weather

When we think about outdoor living we mainly associate it with Summer but outdoor living is so much more than that. It’s about enjoying the fresh outdoor space all year round from summer to winter and using your living space to its full potential on all occasions.

SALE NOW ON

Enjoy outdoor living for less

For 30 years Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd have been transforming all types of outdoor spaces across the country, turning them from occasional spaces into the heart of the home, that can be used come rain or shine, day or night, in the Summer or Winter.

Installation of the Month – September

Wokingham - Outdoor Living Pod™

Our Deluxe model Outdoor Living Pod™ is our most popular louvered roof thanks to its flexible design – able to customise to suit all types of outdoor spaces and customer requirements. This model can come as a simple four post freestanding structure, lean to structure supported at the rear by the façade or as a roof only model that can sit within or on top of an existing structure, as was the case in our installation of the month.

The Customer Journey Video

A short stop motion animation explaining the six step process to getting the perfect external shading system from Caribbean Blinds.

The Caribbean Blinds team are unceasingly working to look for constructive ways to make our steps and processes better to enhance the customer experience because customer satisfaction is one of our main company priorities. When a client makes an initial enquiry with us our aim is to provide them with a sound service that is hassle free so that they can relax knowing that they are in trusted hands.

Installation of the Month – August

Cambridge – Outdoor Living Pod™

Whilst we haven’t seen much of the sun this August, we’ve remained extremely busy particulary with our all weather outdoor living solutions that enable you to enjoy your terrace in a pleasant environment whatever the weather. We have been working around the clock to transform numerous terraces all over the country. It has been a challenge particulary because of the poor weather but our experienced installation crews have successfully completed all installations on time and to the high standards our customers expect.

Installation of the Month – July

Bromley – External Roller Blinds

We are in full swing with the summer season, the kids are off from school, the parks are busy and the shops are rammed, this part of the season is particularly busy for parents as they plan activities and holidays to keep the children occupied. It is generally a busy time for many of us across the country especially at Caribbean Blinds as demand for external shading soars with the warm weather.

The Customer Journey

Relax in Six Steps

At Caribbean Blinds we pride ourselves on offering the highest levels of customer service, after all, when selecting the finest external shading systems it is natural to expect a service that is second to none from initial contact, through to survey, installation and after sale. After 30 years in the industry we understand our clients and their needs and we are continuously working with them to enhance and maintain our great reputation. We have refined and finessed our customer processes and journeys over the years and believe we offer exceptional and unparalleled levels of customer service. The glowing reviews we receive weekly let us know that the service we provide exceeds expectations which we always aim for. We ensure all of our technicians and staff are trained to the highest level to meet our company standards so that we can deliver great customer service across the board. We are continuously analysing all our methods and training so that we can always adapt and progress wherever we need to.

Installation Of The Month - June

Enfield – Deluxe Outdoor Living Pod

June has been an incredibly busy month for us at Caribbean Blinds, as the temperature increased so did the workload, but that did not deter our team from their dedicated efforts. As we transitioned into the summer season we had been endlessly working around the clock to complete our large-scale projects and prepare our new Showsite & Shading Experience Centre for the official launch to our trade dealer network - the pressure was certainly on for all of us.

VIP Trade Open Day and Showsite Launch a resounding success

Welcome to the world of Caribbean.

Yesterday, on the first day of Summer and hottest day for over 40 years, Caribbean Blinds, the pre-eminent name in external shading, launched their new Outdoor Living Showsite & Shading Experience Centre at their head office in Sudbury, Suffolk to their trade dealer network.

Love Life Outdoors

A new website to showcase our Outdoor Living Pods.

The outdoor living lifestyle continues to grow in trend as we see Britons across the country investing in their external retreats to enjoy the delightful warmer seasons. Enhancing your outdoor space can increase the value of your property by as much as 20%, which is why the exterior should not be disregarded when it comes to making home improvements. Over the past few years we have witnessed the Outdoor Living market rapidly grow.

Installation of the Month – May

Folkestone, Kent - External Roller Blinds

It has been another busy month for us; our team are on top form and they are continuously working hard to ensure a high standard of customer satisfaction, which is reflected in our reviews. This month we have undertaken some complex and large installations where our team have got to use their individual skillsets to full advantage. It was a difficult choice between two of our projects, however, we chose May’s install based on our ability to install blinds discreetly where others could not.

Installation of the Month – April

The Oaksmere Hotel, Eye – Folding Arm Awning

Over at the edge of the of the Suffolk and Norfolk border there is a stunning traditional hotel called The Oaksmere, it is situated in the tranquil countryside of Eye overlooking acers of scenic private grounds that have been carefully tended to by their groundskeepers. There is even a life size pirate ship that will greet you at the entrance of the hotel, it seems that every corner you take there is something that is satisfying to the eye.

Installation Of The Month – March

Huddersfield – External Roller Blind

March is a busy month for our installation teams, with numerous products being installed following pre-season orders, so clients can enjoy their outdoor space during the warmer weather we are starting to experience and most importantly their first BBQ of the year of the Easter period, with protection from that typical shower.

Caribbean HD

Building the bigger picture.

As we step into another busy season of shading the nation with the finest, innovative exterior blinds, we reflect on last year’s performance and analyse how we can make further improvements to continue to set ourselves apart. We take great pride in the service we deliver and how we deliver it, which is why we strive to surpass previous year’s achievements by setting the bar higher each time.

Opening the Roof on Outdoor Living

New & Exclusive Outdoor Living Pod for 2017

Since the launch of our award winning Outdoor Living Pod in July 2011, we’ve transformed 1,000’s of terraces up and down the country, providing a flexible, adaptable all weather living space that can be enjoyed all year round.

Installation of the Month - February

Lock Heath, Southampton - Outdoor Living Pod

It has been a pleasant but wet February with the odd spot of sunshine making an appearance. That did not however dampen the nations desire to want to invest in external shading, with record numbers of enquiries for our products. Now is the time to get prepared for the warmer weather ahead, with spring arriving in a couple of months it makes sense to install a patio awning or Outdoor Living Pod now ready to enjoy to the full over the Spring, Summer and Autumn.

Staying Smart

Are you making smart moves in your home?

In a world where we are surrounded by technology, we are becoming more reliant on it to increase our productivity. In the past decade there have been some technological breakthroughs which have impacted our lives and the way in which we function.

A Clearer Picture

The pros and cons of a Glass Veranda

A glass veranda can be a great addition to the exterior of your home. A permanent fixture that will provide you with cover from the bad weather but is this the best all weather solution that will give you all the benefits that you are looking for?

It’s Hotting up

Is it the right time to consider external shading?

During the winter months, we don’t normally consider shading of any description, after all, the wet, cold grey weather doesn’t make us think of keeping cool from the sun, however, with a warming climate and Spring almost as hot as Summer, it’s not long before warm weather becomes a problem, causing our properties to overheat, making them uncomfortable to be in, particular those with heavily glazed elevations along with glass rooms & conservatories.

Smart Meter Installation

Possible disruption so please bear with us.

As part of a government mandate, our electricity provider is upgrading our electricity meter tomorrow Friday 27th January to an AMR (automated meter reading) solution. This change is taking place at 7am and should be complete within 90 minutes, so before our offices open at 9am, however, as with any major electrical installation, this could run over and cause a slight delay in getting our systems (including phones) up and running at the start of the working day.

The Finer Details

Even down to the thread.

Before entering the purchasing process we are usually triggered by a need. Once this need has come to light, we look for a solution, one that will benefit us in the long run. We have to consider what we can afford and who will be able to provide us with the quality and service that we seek for the money we are willing to part with.

Finding the right company

Top tips to help you select the right company for external shading

Every year we hear stories from customers of other companies making false claims that can’t be substantiated, and intentionally misleading consumers to get that sale and last year this seemed to only be on the increase. When purchasing an external shading system you are spending thousands of pounds, so you want to make sure you purchase a quality product that’s fit for your purpose, correctly installed and from a legitimate company. To help assist you in this process we’ve provided below our top ten tips on what to check before making a purchase:

Expanding our coverage

Even more postcode areas covered in 2017

For 2017 we’re pleased to make our innovative external blinds, patio awnings and louvered roofs available in an additional 8 postcode regions (detailed below) across England, all manufactured by our own skilled technicians and installed by our own expert teams.

New Office Phone Hours

Reach us on 0344 800 1947 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Our office telephone opening hours are changing. From today onwards you can speak with one of our friendly advisors at the office between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Whilst the offices are staffed outside these hours, usually from 8am, by having a short period at the beginning of the day with no phones enables our teams to prepare for the day ahead, dealing with the many brochure/information requests and emails received overnight.

Upgrading our fleet

Bespoke installation vehicles specifically for our trade

Earlier this year we took delivery of two new installation vehicles and are just in the process of ordering an additional vehicle to add to our fleet bringing our total installation vehicles to 3. The right vehicle for the job is an important part of our business, as these transport our products across the country and enable our installers to professionally install them.

Exciting career opportunities at the UK Shading Experts

Beat the New Year price increase

Order now for installation in 2017

Since the UK voted to leave the EU (Brexit), the pound has weakened significantly against the Euro dropping by around 20%, meaning the cost of exchanging money and subsequently buying from Europe has significantly increased.

Christmas Order Deadlines

Act fast to avoid disappointment

It might not seem it but Christmas is only 2 months away and the run up to the festive period is an extremely busy time of year for CB, particularly with commercial clients as they look to transform their outdoor spaces, providing shelter and warmth from the elements to capitalise on the trade over the Christmas holidays which sees family’s and friends enjoy socialising, drinking and dining out.

Under The Spotlight

Blinds & Shutters Magazine gets to know one of our company Directors

The latest issue of Blinds & Shutters magazine, the leading journal for everyone involved in the interior and exterior solar shading industry, from manufacturers to retailers features a 2 page exclusive question & answer session with our Sales & Marketing Director, Stuart Dantzic, who reveals all about business and personal…

Electricity Meter Upgrade

No phone lines on Monday 21st March from 9am - 10.30am

Therefore, on Monday 21st March there will be no power at our Sudbury factory between9am - 10.30am.This will include all phone lines, so our 0344 800 1947 telephone number will be temporarily unavailable during this short time span.

Introducing: Domus

Meet the Caribbean Blinds team

With January almost complete, it's time for the first of this year's Meet The Team feature. Today we're chatting to Domus who works as an Installation Technician transforming spaces up and down the country with our innovative external shading solutions.

Increased Coverage

Expanding our reach in 2016

We’re pleased to announce that we have increased our area of coverage, with our expert advice and superior products now available in 9 additional postcode regions (highlighted on the map above) for 2016, all serviced by our own specialist personnel (no subcontractors) so you can rest assured you will receive the same high quality level of service.

Our New Phone Number

Replace the 08 with 03 from effect today

We were recently informed Ofcom, the communications regulator, are making changes to the way consumers are charged for calling service numbers. Following research that suggested these service numbers often 'caused confusion amongst consumers,' Ofcom have introduced a series of changes which strive to make costs more transparent and easier to understand.

Review Of 2015

A year to remember for so many reasons...

Whilst patio awning sales declined slightly, sales of our louvered roof Outdoor Living Podincreased by over 20%. This demonstrates a shift in homeowner’s desires as they seek to create an outdoor space that can be used in all weathers, rather than on a seasonal basis. Furthermore, with new research suggesting ‘space’ replaced ‘location’ as the most sought-after feature for prospective homeowners in 2015, it is no wonder our Outdoor Living Pod which enables homeowners to expand their useable living space proved to be in such high demand.

Christmas Wishes From The UK Shading Experts

Wishing you a Happy Christmas & Prosperous New Year

After a busy year, the CB team are going on a well earned break and will be re-charging their batteries from today 18th December 2015 to Tuesday 5th January 2016, when the offices and factory will re-open at 9am.

We Have A Winner To Announce!

Who has won our £250 cash prize?

However, there can only be one winner, and we'd like to announce that Sarah Priceis the lucky recipient of our fabulous cash prize. Congratulations Sarah!A cheque will be on its way to you very soon, which is perfect timing ahead of the Christmas festivities.

Introducing: Jamie

Meet the Caribbean Blinds team

Now that another month has almost been and gone, it's time for November's interview feature where we give you the chance to get to know our brilliant team here at Caribbean Blinds. Today we're speaking to Jamie who works as an Installation Technician, covering our full product line of external blinds, patio awnings & louvered roofs.

Introducing: Danny

Meet the Caribbean Blinds team

With October drawing to an end, it's time for this month's interview feature where we give you the opportunity to get to know our fantastic team here at Caribbean Blinds. In today's interview we're chatting to Danny who works as a Solar Shading Engineer at our manufacturing facility in Sudbury, Suffolk. Enjoy!

Introducing: Dhan

Meet the Caribbean Blinds team

With another month almost complete, it's time for September's interview feature where we give you the chance to get to know our team at Caribbean Blinds. Today we are chatting to Dhan who works as a Machinist at our manufacturing facility in Suffolk. Enjoy!

Introducing: Sam

Meet the Caribbean Blinds team

Ever wondered what an average working day is like for the Caribbean Blinds team? Well, you're in luck! From today onwards, we are excited to announce a new regular blog feature that'll give you the opportunity to get to know our manufacturing and installation team.

Join Our Team

Apply Today For Our Exciting 'Sales Support Role'

Sales Support Role:We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and hardworking individual to join our team in this exceptionally exciting and important position. We are seeking the highest calibre of communication and presentation skills, an excellent telephone manner, outstanding literacy and numeracy skills coupled with a very organised approach.

Behind The Scenes At Caribbean Blinds

Join us on Instagram

Additionally, it'll demonstrate how, as the only dedicated exterior blind and awning specialist in the UK, we're a fully legitimate and trustworthy company dedicated to every part of the design and installation process. Whether that includes our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, busy head office or on-site with our team of installers, our photos will give you a unique insight into Caribbean Blinds.

Our Reviews & Photos Are The Real Deal

Don't be fooled by fake online reviews

With more and more people turning to online reviews in order to make a judgement about how to spend their money, it's recently come to our attention that some companies are paying for 'fake reviews' in order to attract potential customers. Whilst reviews can give a good indication of a company's services and products, please consider that not every review online gives an accurate representation of the firm.

Summer Design Inspiration

Stay up-to-date with our pick of the best Summer outdoor trends!

With our first post due to be published next week, our weekly Style & Inspiration articles will provide our pick of the best outdoor living ideas to help you make the most of the warmer weather. From finishing touches to getting ready to fire up the BBQ, it has never been easier to give your garden a new lease of life with Caribbean Blinds.

How Much Do Our Products Cost?

Finding out is as easy as…

We understand however that prior to having a survey carried out, most clients in the first instance want an indication of guide price for their requirements to ensure it is within the budgets they have set and so as not to waste their time (and indeed ours).

Our BIG Sale Ends At 5pm Today

Don’t miss out, save big and get set for summer!

With genuine discounts of upto £1,500, just imagine what you could do with the money saved – You could purchase new rattan furniture enabling you to enjoy the long hot summer days ahead shaded & sheltered by your striking new awning or install a maintenance free composite decking that perfectly compliments your stylish new Outdoor Living Pod or alternatively put the money towards another home improvement project.

Don't Put Your Back Out!

Manual handling covers the lifting and moving (including carrying, pushing or pulling) of any load. More than a third of all work place injuries are manual handling related, with around 50% of these resulting in injury to a persons back, which costs both the employee and employer money in terms of time off work to recover and lack of productivity (being a person down).

Standing Out From The Crowd!

New safety clothing makes sure are personnel are seen

The safety of both our employees along with other contractors, pedestrians and road users is something we take extremely seriously. We want to make sure our employees can be seen (and are safe), especially when working roadside (unloading goods and/or equipment from their vehicle) and on a busy construction site with lots of trades on site at once. For this reason we have always issued as standard to all our personnel hi-visibility clothing (at no expense to them). As with all clothing, despite how well it is looked after, there is a point at which it needs to be replaced and we have just issued all our employees today with their new improved hi-visibility vests and jackets.

What Areas Do We Cover?

Updated coverage map

The map above shows the postcode areas in the UK we currently cover for both direct consumer and trade enquiries. For larger specialist projects (contract work) we can provide a service across all of mainland England, Ireland and the majority of Scotland too.

The Year Ahead

Find out what we’ve got planned for 2015

Already in the first 12 days of the New Year, we’ve completed the merging of all our micro-sites, including this blog and our dedicated trade dealer portal into our main cbsolarshading website, so everything is in one place and most importantly easily accessible with the right information found for each sector / requirements with only a few clicks of a button. Our web presence is extremely important to us, as usually it’s the first port of call for customers, so other than making sure we give the right impression, its paramount that the relevant information can easily be found and that we can easily be contacted, which we hope the integration of all our websites into one has achieved.

Review Of 2014

A year to remember, with outstanding performance across all sectors

It’s fair to say we experienced some of the best weather yet, with a prolonged Summer and Spring like Winter weather (both at the start and end of the year) with generally speaking very little rain overall in comparison to previous years.

We’re closed for the festive period - here’s a fun little seasonal animation featuring Bert for you to enjoy while we are away

Fabrics Are Just A Click Away

shadingspecifier.co.uk integrated within our main website

For the past few years, you have been able to view the different materials available for our wide range of fabric shading systems on our Shading Specifier, a dedicated online performance fabric selector where aswell as seeing all the design and colour options, you could view how well the selected fabric blocked heat in combination with your glazing type along with all other key solar and optical properties.

Be Part Of A Winning Team

Two office based customer service role vacancies

We're Sociable

Connect with us on all these platforms…

We’re pleased to announce you can now engage and connect with us through all the above social media channels. Along with finding out about what we have / will be up to, such as the consumer exhibitions we will be attending where you will be able to see our entire product range in action and recent projects we have completed including any out of the ordinary installations, we will use these platforms to provide much more information including:

Cut off for pre x-mas installations is fast approaching

Sometimes It Does Go Wrong

But we’ll rectify it promptly

We’re all human and that means sometimes errors do occur, albeit we’re pleased to say very rarely. However, when an error does occur we will always rectify the issue as promptly and efficiently as possible.

The Upwards Trend Continues

9 months in and we've exceeded 2013

More Payment Options

We now accept American Express

As with all card payments for direct retail sales we do not charge a credit card transaction fee. For trade sales as the majority of account payments are made via electronic transfer our standard 2.5% card transaction fee will apply.

Hoist Away

Roof terraces don’t pose a problem

We are noticing a rise in the number of enquiries for patio awnings to be installed on apartment balconies and roof terraces. Not only do these applications have numerous additional health and safety requirements due to the high level of work but normally always due to restricted access inside the building through the stairwell area require the use of specialist hoisting equipment outside to get the awning into location, which in turn needs certain permissions granted along with appropriate insurance cover.

Join Our Team

Technicians / Installers Required

With more products leaving our factory and being installed than ever before, to cope with demand we’re looking for flexible, motivated individuals with a technical mindset and an eye for detail to join our production and installation teams. The role will be split between producing our range of superior outdoor living and solar shading solutions at our production facility in Sudbury, Suffolk and installing them across the country, primarily the South.

Educating Consumers

Real Homes + Homebuilding & Renovating take the lead

We have recently mailed out to various home & garden magazine titles an educational editorial piece titled ‘Effective solar shading, selecting the right blinds to prevent overheating and glare’ which as the title suggests is aimed at helping consumers choose the right type of shading solution for their application and requirements.

Enhancing your viewing experience

External 'v' Internal

New heat transmission comparison charts

At Caribbean we don’t just say our products will keep you cool, we are proud of the fact that we are the only UK manufacturer to have invested in actually having all our materials tested to strict European standards for their heat transmission in combination with all common glazing types (single, double, double low-e….), so the overall heat element of the suns energy that gets through both the fabric and glazing into the property.

Changes To Our Consultation / Survey Appointments

From timed to morning & afternoon slots

We are making some changes when you book a free survey or consultation with one of our shading experts. Currently we offer timed appointments, between the hours of 7am-6pm Monday to Friday, however, it is increasingly hard to keep to the times booked (even though we always try our very best) due to a number factors, which includes the length of time the previous appointment takes, which can vary from as little as 15-20 minutes upto almost 2 hours, depending on the size of the project to survey, amount of in-depth detail the client requires and also the weather (it takes a lot longer to survey on a rainy day then it does a dry day). Additionally the level of traffic travelling between appointments can significantly impact arrival time too.

Dominica ERB Discontinued

Wire guided screen phased out from production

Sales of our external roller blinds (ERB) continue to grow year on year, helped by the fact that so many refurbishment projects include large quantities of glazing in the guise of sliding/bi-fold doors and skylights, all of which needs effectively shading to ensure the new space is comfortable and does not overheat.

New Product Taster Brochures

Hot off the press

We’ve today taken delivery of our new product taster brochures, just in time for the upcoming Grand Designs Live show in London, taking place from the 3-11 May. In two different sizes, both A4 and A5 depending on whether they are being used as a handout at an exhibition/in a showroom (A4 size) or mailed out to a specific database (A5) the brochures provide a great overview to the innovative range of exterior blinds, awnings and outdoor shading solutions we offer, with a brief, clear concise description about the benefits of each product line and fresh stunning new photography showing not just the transformation our products make but also how great they look. Additionally the brochures outline the benefits of dealing direct with the manufacturer along with containing numerous testimonials from a series of previous customers across the country, about both the outstanding quality of our products and the exceptional service we provide.

Q1 Sales Rise Over 34%

Savvy customers prefer to deal with the experts

The first three months of the year have been extraordinarily busy, in particular for our production facility who have been working flat out to keep up with demand. Orders year on year for our external roller blinds alone have increased by over 400%, yes more than 4 times the volumes for the same quarter in 2013, and our patio awnings, which for the past several years sales have been fairly consistent have rose by almost 78%.

Ready To Be Put Through Their Paces

Sewing machines ready for top summer performance

Modern, state of the art machinery plays a key role in producing the finest exterior solar shading solutions available, along with our expert shading technicians of course who are the very best in the field. Just like a quality car, all our machinery requires servicing (which is undertaken yearly) to ensure they continue to run and perform correctly.

Loler Testing Complete

Our assembly rigs are a vital part of manufacture

As part of the manufacture process of our patio awnings, as well as building your new awning to the highest quality using the finest premium grade materials, prior to them leaving our premises for expert installation, they are fully set up, adjusted and tested to make sure they function perfectly and are the very pinnacle of precision.

We're On Twitter...

Stay up to date with our latest news articles as we post them by following us on Twitter - @cbsolarshading

Transmitters And Sensors

New specification sheet to aid selection

With so many control options available to operate our exterior solar shading solutions, we have put together an information sheet on the main radio controlled transmitters and sensors actually used to operate our exterior blinds, awnings and outdoor shading solutions following an analysis of sales over the past 12 months.

Happy New Year!

Here’s to a great 2014

The festive period is now over and the CB team after a extraordinarily busy end to a successful 2013 have re-charged their batteries and are now ready again to start transforming the use, functionality and enjoyment from both indoor and outdoor spaces with the installation of our innovative exterior blinds from today at 9am.

We’re closed for the X-mas period from 19/12/13 – 06/01/14

New O&M Manual

Essential information in a new clearer format

As part of the refresh of our product literature, we have updated and improved our operation and maintenance manual too. Previously, we produced a separate manual for each of our product lines (tensioned roof blinds, external roller blinds etc), printed on our laser printers on A4 double sided paper, however, with many of the operational features being the same across different product lines and wanting to improve the look, feel and quality of this important document, we have integrated everything into a single manual, that is now produced as an A5 size 4 page brochure manual, printed by a professional press onto a hard wearing 350gsm silk card, that will still look as good after several years time stuffed in a drawer.

New Product Literature

The features and benefits have never looked so good

It’s the time of year again where we review and refresh our product literature, including updating technical details in respect of improvements, however, this year, based on client feedback and improved photography across all our product ranges, we have completely redesigned our literature and specification sheets.

Online Image Gallery

View 100’s of inspirational installations

As part of the planned updates to our cbsolarshading.co.uk, we have now introduced an image gallery to each of our product line pages. Positioned in the side bar to the left of each page, the ever expanding gallery showcases the vast array of applications our products have been utilised for across all sectors including residential and hospitality. Hovering over a specific image with your mouse cursor will light that image up whilst clicking on it will open the image up so you can see it as a full page view.

Website Server Downtime

Websites out of action over the weekend

If you tried to access our websites www.cbsolarshading.co.uk or www.shadingspecifier.co.uk over the weekend, you will no doubt have been confronted with a blank black page with no images and just the category tabs, and if you clicked on any of the tabs the above error message would have been displayed. This was due to some unplanned maintenance on the servers to which are websites are hosted that we were completely unaware of, so please accept our apologies if you tried to access our website at the weekend with no luck.

Pre-Christmas Installations

Order Now to Avoid Disappointment

With Christmas fast approaching and unseasonably high demand for our specialist products including the award winning Outdoor Living Pod, our deadline for guaranteed installations before Christmas is this Friday 1st November 2013. Orders taken after this date, upto and including Friday 15th November 2013 we will do our absolute best to install before Christmas but we cannot guarantee.

2014 Trade Price List Released

Available for download now!

Our NEW 2014 Trade Price List and Product Guide, containing our full range of patio awnings, window canopies and associated accessories available exclusively to the sunblind trade is now available for download from the dedicated trade dealer section on our main website www.cbsolarshading.co.uk (you will simply need your account number to login).

Black Bahamas Awning Stocks Deplete

Demand for black framed awnings as standard a thing of the past

Introduced as a standard frame colour folding arm awning in the run up to the smoking ban in England, Scotland and Wales, due to the increased demand and requirement for black framed awnings from the hospitality sector (in particular pubs and bars), the Black Bahamas awning has continued within our range ever since, however, with the boom in sales of all black awnings due to the smoking ban well behind us and stocks of this black metalwork diminished, the Black Bahamas awning is now officially discontinued.

Online Pricing

Clear, Transparent, Product Price Guide Calculators

Unlike all other external blind companies, we do not hide our prices and insist you book an appointment just to get a price. We have always prior to an appointment provided an indication of budget price for the required product based upon your approximate measurements and ideally a photo of the application.

Website Updates

Improving your online experience with us

Based on feedback, analytics and our commitment to continual improvement, over the coming weeks, you will notice numerous changes and amendments to our website cbsolarshading.co.uk, some of which have already taken place.

All Fabrics - Same Price

No price differential between fabric ranges

Unlike virtually all other companies who supply exterior blinds of any description, we do not make a price difference between our dimout and blockout fabric ranges available for our external blind systems.

Any RAL Colour

Co-ordinate or contrast our external blinds with your facade

Currently our exterior solar shading systems are available in a number of standard hardware (metalwork) finishes, including pure white and dark chocolate brown – the 2 most popular metalwork colour options selected in the UK due to our houses being fitted with white and woodgrain effect uPVC windows / soffits, which most people wish to blend their blind metalwork with.

Before & After Photos

A complete transformation with our Outdoor Living Pod

We are now encouraging our installers to take 'before' and 'after' photos of all our Outdoor Living Pod (OLP) installations so we can show the huge difference the installation our unique OLP makes to the terrace area, turning it from an occasional space, into the favourite place to enjoy some good food and company with friends, family and alike, protected from the elements throughout the year.

Overcoming Obstacles

Infilling to give a clean, neat finish

When installing our outdoor living products including our Outdoor Living Pod and Patio Awnings to the rear of houses and commercial establishments, it is not uncommon to have to overcome obstacles on the wall, such as fixed soil pipes or drain pipes that cannot be moved or to be confronted with a staggered property line, where half of the property is set back from the other part but the shading system is required to run the full width.

Barbados Model Awning Discontinued

After 13 years of service, our Barbados awning, once a top seller, is now retired.

Launched at the turn of the Millenium, our Barbados awning (baby brother to the premium Bahamas model awning) perfectly bridged the gap between the non cassette awning (where the fabric, folding arms and operating mechanism are exposed when retracted) and the full cassette awning (where all the parts are protected when retracted from the elements). With its 3/4 flush fitting cassette casing, easy ‘hook on’ installation brackets and adjustment methods similar to the Bahamas awning, the Barbados became a firm favourite patio awning for residential applications.

New Clothing Range

Take a sneak peak at the Autumn/Winter clothing range that's just been signed off for the CB crew. Simple, smart, stylish...

Welcome...

...to the blog of Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd, the UK's largest manufacturer of exterior blinds, awnings and outdoor shading solutions.

So firstly in case you're wondering why the domain name weloveexteriorblinds.com for our blog - it's quite simple really, WE (the entire team at Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd) LOVE EXTERIOR BLINDS and it's this passion and love for our products that makes us different to, well, every other exterior solar shading supplier of any description in the industry. Dealing with people who actually care about and love what they do makes a real difference to the service and quality of product/workmanship you receive.

OUTDOOR LIVING | SOLAR SHADING

External Blinds, Patio Awnings and the award winning Outdoor Living PodTM, louvered roof canopy, direct from the UK's leading family owned manufacturer and installer.

We Love External Shading and the benefits it brings. No one is more passionate, knowledgeable or experienced.

Our external solar shading systems keep you cool and look great doing it. They block damaging UV rays whilst admitting diffused natural daylight. They offer sufficient glare protection and contribute to the cooling of rooms whilst maintaining the view. Air conditioning use becomes a thing of the past saving money on energy bills and reducing a buildings carbon emissions. Exterior shading is a part of the solution in the fight against climate change. Very healthy and green indeed!

Offering the largest, most comprehensive and diverse range of external solar shading systems available in the UK, coupled with our unparalleled experience means we are always able to specify and provide the right shading system for the application, requirement and budget.

Every single one of our team is passionate about exterior shading. They put their heart and soul into providing external shading systems of real distinction that truly make a difference, whether it be energy saving, comfort or lifestyle.

Expect more, expect everything from your exterior solar shading supplier. Beware of inferior products. Opt for the best under the sun and experience a refreshing difference dealing direct with the UK's leading genuine manufacturer of external solar control and sun protection products.